Process for ordering a selection in advance, digital system and jukebox for embodiment of the process

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a process for ordering a selection in advance, characterized in that it includes a step in which a menu is displayed followed by a selection in this menu, to make specific requests and particularly: a step displaying the event for which the advance order of a selection is made, and then selection of the event; a step displaying the identity of destination equipment on which the selection is to be played, and then selection of this equipment; a step displaying the date and time at which the selection is to be made on the destination equipment; a step in which particular requests are recorded and downloaded onto a file only after payment has been verified.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.09/585,325, filed Jun. 2, 2000 now abandoned, the entire content ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference in this application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a process for ordering a selection in advance,and the digital system and jukebox for embodiment of the process.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

French patent application 98 09358 deposited on 22 Jul. 1998 describes aspecific function of a jukebox and a network connecting a set ofjukeboxes to a server in order to distribute the title song of a newalbum of a singer on a given date defined as the distribution andmarketing date of the song, onto all reproduction systems. However, withthis type of system, a particular jukebox user or a user connected tothe host server through the Internet supervising a number of jukeboxesis unable to select a song and order it so that the song can be playedon a given date on a given jukebox or on several given jukeboxes.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The first purpose of this invention is to overcome this disadvantage ofprior art by proposing a process for ordering a selection in advance.

This purpose is achieved by a process for ordering a selection inadvance, characterized in that it includes a step in which a menu isdisplayed followed by a selection in this menu, to make specificrequests and particularly:

a step displaying the event for which the advance order of a selectionis made, and then selection of the event;

a step displaying the identity of destination equipment on which theselection is to be made, and then selection of this equipment;

a step displaying the date and time at which the selection shall be madeon the destination equipment;

a step in which particular requests are recorded and downloaded onto afile only after payment has been verified.

Another purpose is to propose a digital jukebox capable of embodying theprocess for advance order of a selection.

This purpose is achieved using a device for an advance order of aselection characterized in that the jukebox d or the server d comprisemeans of displaying information on a screen close to the user to guidehim in making specific requests;

means of saving these requests in a specific file;

means of periodically examining the file saved on the equipment totrigger execution of the request at the given date and time, or totrigger its downloading.

Finally, the last purpose is to propose a digital system forming aremote distribution network for audiovisual data for embodiment of theprocess.

This purpose is achieved by a digital system forming a remotedistribution network, characterized in that the remote distributionnetwork comprises a host server connected firstly to the Internetnetwork, and secondly to a set of jukeboxes through a second network,each jukebox being identified by an identity number or an address thatcan be used to load each specific request on the destination jukebox andmeans of scanning the file containing specific requests on each jukeboxto have them executed when the local time and the day correspond to theselected time and day.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of this invention will become clearerafter reading the following description with reference to the attacheddrawings in which:

FIG. 1 represents a diagrammatic view of the electrical scheme of theequipment forming the invention;

FIG. 2 represents a logic diagram showing relations between modules oflibraries and object modules imported on the jukebox;

FIG. 3 diagrammatically represents the different interactions between auser, the jukebox and a server connected to the jukebox through adistribution network;

FIG. 4 represents the different steps of the process used by the devicesaccording to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferably, but non-restrictively, the audiovisual reproduction systemjukebox) 10 uses the equipment elements listed and referenced below.

The system unit 1 with a microprocessor is a high performance PCcompatible system, the choice at the time of implementation was made fora Pentium type system with memory means and for example the followingcharacteristics:

compatibility with the Vesa local bus,

processor cache memory: 256 kbytes minimum,

RAM memory: 32 Mbytes,

high performance serial ports,

microprocessor controlled SVGA type graphic adapter,

SCSI/2 type bus controller,

self-powered static RAM memory.

Any other system unit with equivalent or better performances could beused in the invention.

This system unit controls and manages a sound control circuit 5, atelecommunications control circuit 4, an input control circuit 3, a massmemory control circuit 2, and a display means control circuit 6. Thedisplay means are composed primarily of a SVGA type flat screen, highresolution, low radiation video monitor 62 with no interlacing. This isthe monitor that will be used for image reproduction (for example albumcovers for musical selections), and to display graphics and video clips.

The mass memory means 21, for example using high speed high capacitySCSI type hard disks, are associated with the memory means alreadyinstalled in the microprocessor controlled device. These means are usedfor the storage of digitized, compressed and possibly encryptedaudiovisual information.

A high speed telecommunications modem adapter 41 is included to createthe link with an audiovisual information distribution network controlledby a host server.

For the reproduction of audio information in musical selections, thesystem comprises loudspeakers 54 into which the signal from an amplifiertuner 53 connected to the electronic circuit 5 containing two memorybuffers 56, 57 is input, the amplifier tuner being of the digital signalprocessor (DSP) type of music synthesizer designed to support a largenumber of input sources while providing an output with decrypted anddecompressed digital signals with a CD (compact disk) or 1-Hifi typequality.

Similarly, the display means control circuit also comprises two memorybuffers 66, 67, the purpose of which is described later.

A 240 watt ventilated power supply with temperature regulation suppliesenergy to the system. This power supply is protected againstovercurrents and overoscillations.

The audiovisual reproduction system manages a touch-screen 33 thatincludes a glass coating panel based on the “advanced surface wavetechnology” and an AT type bus controller, through its input controllercircuit 3. This touch-screen displays various selection information foruse by customers, and control and management checking information foruse by the manager, on the video monitor 62 or television screen 61, andthe system owner then uses it to make a selection. It is also used formaintenance purposes in combination with an external keyboard 34 thatmay be connected to the system and that is provided with a keyboardconnector controlled by a key lock 32 through the interface circuit 3.

The input circuit 3 also forms the interface between the system and aremote control assembly 31, for example composed of a radio frequency RFremote control.

A fee payment device 35 is also connected to the input interface circuit3. Another device may be used capable of collecting any means of paymentby coins, notes, tokens, magnetic cards or smart cards or anycombination of these means of payment.

The system is designed to be fitted in a frame or rack that is provided,together with customizable external finishings.

Apart from these elements, a cordless microphone 55 is connected to thesound controller 5 that can transform the jukebox into a powerful publicannouncement and information system, or possibly a karaoke machine.Similarly, a cordless loudspeakers system may be used by the system tobroadcast songs into other rooms.

The manager can use the remote control assembly 31, for example frombehind the bar, to access and control different controls such as:

the microphone on/off switch,

the loudspeaker mute control,

the sound volume control,

the control to cancel the musical selection currently being played.

Two buffers 56, 57 are associated with the sound controller circuit 5 sothat each can alternately memorize information corresponding to about atleast a quarter of a second of sound. Similarly, two buffers 66, 67 areassociated with the video controller circuit 6, each capable ofalternately memorizing about at least a tenth of a second of image.Finally, one buffer 46 is associated with the communication controllercircuit 4, another 36 with the input interface 3 and another 26 with thememory interface 2.

The operating software in the system was generated around a library oftools and services specifically designed for the audiovisual field in amultimedia universe. This library advantageously includes a highperformance multi-task operating system that efficiently enablessimultaneous execution of multiple code fragments. This operatingsoftware enables concurrent and orderly execution, thus avoiding anyconflict between operations carried out on display means, audioreproduction means and management of telecommunication links through thedistribution network. Furthermore, this software is extremely flexible.

The operating system is shared into modules comprising a first startermodule 7 itself sub-divided into a first main program module 70 “JUK.EXE” that verifies the memory and verifies if the minimum number ofobjects necessary to enable operation of the jukebox is present; asecond module 71 dynamically linked to it and dependent on it consistsof the “JUKECORE. DLL” module. The function of this second module 71 isto contain C language libraries and to perform the main task.

The architecture of the operating system comprises a distribution of thedifferent tasks into software modules connected to each other by dynamiclinks or composed of executable subprograms presenting main dependencelinks with other parts of the operating system. Each of the modules iscomposed of object files or dynamic link libraries organized accordingto a plurality of dependence levels described in the attributes. Theattributes of an object or a library indicate the version number anddependences of the object file or the library with respect to otherobject files as described below for the PARSER. DJL module. Eachattribute indicates the level assigned to the module. Thus, the JUK.EXE70 module is at a higher level than the JUKECORE. DLL 71, TLS. DLL 72,CRDE. DLL 73, GFX. DLL 74, WDLL. DLL 75, JEEP. DLL 9 and TELECOM. DLL 10modules, but the TELECOM. DLL 10 module depends on the JEEP. DLL module9 (see link 910) and it is therefore at a lower level than JEEP. DLL 9.

Similarly, the level of JEEP. DLL 9 (see link 759) is lower than thelevel of the WDLL. DLL module 75 since it is dependent on it and TLS(link 725) is at a higher level than WDLL 75. On the other hand, TLS.DLL and GFX. DLL modules may be at the same level. The main taskcomprises a module (JUKECORE. DLL) designed to initialize or load themodule 73, the program core “CRDE. DLL”, initialize or load the graphicmanagement module (GFX. DLL) 74, initialize or load the library loadingmodule (WDLL. DLL) 75, load the telecommunication tasks Telecom module(DLL) 10, load the TLS. DLL module 72 that contains all usages necessaryfor the jukebox, for telecom, time, decryption, etc., initialize or loadthe library of JEEP. DLL (Juke Execution Exchange Protocol) programsperforming integrity server and loading request tasks and the dialogwith the, server, and starting the program module 80, SILOAD. DLL as themain task. The main jukebox application task comprises the module(SILOAD. DLL) containing the loader program library designed to verifythe required dynamic links library versions in the library loadingmodule (WDLL. DLL), to load them or call the telecommunication tasksmodule to perform the file transfer. The WDLL. DLL module comprises thelist of the minimum versions necessary for operation in a DLL. DEFAULTfile, and the list of all functions represented either by libraries witha DLL, DJL suffix, or by object files with a DJO suffix. Each object orlibrary contains the list of all functions that the library or theobject needs, and version numbers and dependences. The WDLL. DLL libraryloading module manages all new modules, controls inter-dependences andchecks that downloaded modules do not have any other dependences andhave been loaded with the necessary versions. The application part 8specific to a jukebox comprises a number of modules loaded and run bythe SILOAD. DLL module and defining the following display windows:

-   -   a mouse signal or touch-screen signal processing module 81,        called MOUSE. DJL,    -   a module 82 for the processing of messages exchanged between        objects and various other modules, called WMESSAGE. DJL,    -   a disk files management module 83, called FIL. DJL    -   a disk files read-write module 84, called FILIO. DJL    -   a module JSTRUCT. DJL 85 for supervision of all events generated        by equipment such as the touch-screen, the sound card, the coin        collection equipment processing interface.

The SILOADL. DLL module manages loading of modules specific to theterminal task, namely all previously enumerated DJL modules and jukeboxlibrary modules 87 built up using WOBJECT. DJL 870 that manages theobjects such as the mixer, purchases; the WCURSOR. DJL module 871 thatmanages cursor movements; the DBMAPI. DJL module 872 that manages thedatabase; the WFONTS. DJL module 873 that manages all font types; thePARSER. DJL module 874 (syntax analysis program) that analyzes andgenerates screens starting from the script that creates a configurationfile WIN. DEF and verifies the grammar using the “GRAMMAR. DJL” module876 and the “LEXY. DJL” module 875 that is the lexical word functionsassignment module inside the language. The PARSER. DJL module 874contains the following information in its file header:

char*parser_version_info=DLL_INFO DJL;”     DLL-NAME PARSER. DJL;”    “VERSION 1;”     “CREATOR KENDALF;”     “REQUIRIES lexyy. djl;4;”    “REQUIRIES grammar- . djl;5”;

All modules and all libraries (DJO, DLL, DJL) contain informationsimilar to the information in the PARSER. DJL module and thisinformation determines version and dependence needs.

Thus, the PARSER. DJL module needs LEXY. DJL version 4 and GRAMMARversion 5 modules otherwise it cannot be executed by the system. Thedouble arrows between the different modules in FIG. 2 show the order ofloading the different files.

Thus, as seen above, the first step is to load JUKE. EXE followed byJUKECORE. DLL, so that GFX. DLL, TLS. DLL, WDLL. DLL, JEEP. DLL,TELECOM. DLL, CRDE. DLL and SILOAD. DLL can be loaded from JUKECORE.DLL.

A set of modules 88 contains the list of files that are to be includedto manage the windows of a window display on the jukebox type terminalmonitor.

This list of objects is composed of:

-   -   a “WPSCREEN. DJO” objects file 883 that defines the main page on        the monitor,    -   a “WSCREEN. DJO” objects file 881 that is used to determine the        number of screens available and thus displays several windows or        screens on this main page,    -   a “WIMAGE. DJO” objects file 880 that determines and defines the        image that it will use in the screen,    -   a “WANIM. DJO” objects file 882 that defines the animation when        the image is animated,    -   a “WBUTTON.DJO” objects file 885 that defines and manages        buttons that are used on the main page screen such as the        control buttons used in a typical graphic interface,    -   a “WLABEL. DJO” objects file 884 that creates labels used to        write on an object; and    -   a “WSCROLLER. DJO” objects file 886 that defines vertically        scrolling display areas.

The WIN. DEF configuration file calls one or more of the *.DJO filesmentioned above depending on needs.

A “JHANDLER” library is used to define fixed usages of screens andtherefore to determine which interfaces provide the link with thedifferent objects defined by the previous modules.

Library module “XCP. DJL” 86 is used to manage payment tasks such asbank note reception systems or coin or smart card payment devices, andalso to save basic information in the IBUTTON which is an integratedcircuit for the storage of secret codes for the jukebox manager, andthat can be used for example to decrypt encrypted files or songs.

The JSTRUCT.DJL module 85 will run module 851 called the “disc-jockey”the function of which will be described below in relation to FIG. 3,when an event occurs corresponding to the end of song selection.Depending on the detected event, the same JSTRUCT.DJL module may startthe request processing module 852, the function of which will bedescribed below in relation with FIG. 4. This same request processingmodule 852 is also installed on the host server 100 (FIG. 3) to allow auser 601 connected to the server through a terminal 600 and the Internetnetwork 400 to order a selection in advance. A music artist 501 can alsouse a terminal 500 connected to the server 100 through the Internetnetwork 300 to make a special request for promotion of a song to beexecuted on several jukeboxes at a given time of a given day. Finally, auser 701 in a room equipped with one or several jukeboxes can make aselection of songs or special requests for advance orders of a selectionor a special event, himself or on the jukebox 10. Song selectionrequests are loaded into the songs queue 840, and advance orders of aselection or a special event requests are loaded into a file 841containing special requests and all information necessary to processthese special requests. The server 100 will also include a file 141storing these special requests until the time that the server makes atransmission to the specific jukebox or the set of specific jukeboxes towhich one or several requests are applicable. This transmission is madethrough a network 200, for example a telecommunications network. Thedisc-jockey module 851 executes a first step 8511 in which it looks inthe jukebox file 841 to find any special requests for the current timeand the current date. If it finds any, the disc-jockey executes thisrequest at step 8512 and starts reproduction of the selection ordered inadvance and the individual message, if any. At the end of thisoperation, the disc-jockey checks, in step 8513, to see if there are anysongs ordered in advance, or goes onto the next song stored in the queuein the file 840. In step 8514, the disc-jockey starts execution of thissong. The disc-jockey then loops back 8515 to the first step 8511. Thespecial requests processing program module 852 comprises means ofproducing a display as shown in FIG. 4 asking the user in front of thejukebox or a terminal connected to the Internet, in step 8521, if hewould like to select a song in step 8520, or if he would like to make aspecial request. If he would like to make a special request, the programwill use the object modules described above to display windows in whichthe user can define the jukebox address in step 8522, or select thisaddress in a list downloaded by the server. The user will thus defineeither the jukebox for which he knows the address, or the jukebox thathe selects in the list closest to the person to whom he wishes to offerthe selection in his advance order. In the next step, 8523, the programdisplays screens that the user can use to enter the name of the personsending the song and the name of the person receiving it. In step 8524,the program displays windows in which the date and time at which theselection will be executed can be defined.

Once this definition has been made, the program goes on to step 8525 ain which the user selects the event type that he wishes to celebrate. Inthis case, the program will display a list of events 8525 b definingevents such as birthdays, marriage, engagements, etc. The user moves thecursor to one of these events either by action on the touch-screen or byusing a keyboard or a mouse, and validates this selection. Once theselection has been validated, the program goes on to the next step 8526a in which it displays a message asking the user if he would like tooffer this selection with a prerecorded voice message. If so, theprogram displays windows that guide the user in selecting a prerecordedvoice message. If not, the program goes on to the next step 8526 b inwhich the user can make a special voice recording and store therecording with the data making up the file for this special request foran advance order. In step 8527, the program displays a screen asking theuser if he would like to make a new request, and if so it loops back tothe first step 8520, and if not it asks the user to make a payment instep 8528. This payment may be made by magnetic credit card or smartcard in a known manner or any other means such as a coin machine, banknote machine or by displaying the number of telephone communicationunits that will be invoiced to the user's line, and acceptance of theinvoice. Once this payment has been made and verified, the program goeson to the save step in the file 841 containing the list of specialrequests to the disc-jockey (DJSRL). This file 841 is located either inthe jukebox if the selection and special request are made locally on thesame jukebox installed in the bar, or in the file 141 on the server ifthe selection is to be made on another jukebox. The jukebox 10 alsocomprises a program that can detect special requests made to anotherjukebox installed in another location and can write this request intothe file 141 on the server by transmission through the network 200 tothe server 100, such that when the server executes its periodic loadingroutine to the various jukeboxes, it also downloads the specificrequests concerning each jukebox. In order to do this, when the serverreceives this type of special request from a jukebox on the network, itwill examine this request by comparing the address of the jukeboxcontained in the request with the addresses contained in its databaseand thus determine the identity of the jukebox to which it must addressthe special request. This special request will be routed to thedestination jukebox when periodic updates are being made or duringperiodic communications.

Obviously, for communications between the jukebox and the server or anInternet terminal and the server, information is compressed and encodedto enable confidentiality, whereas voice messages may be recorded inplain text not necessarily requiring encoding, but will be compressedfor storage purposes to reduce the necessary storage area on thejukebox.

Thus, according to the invention, the selection process comprises a stepin which a menu 8520, 8521 is displayed and a selection is made in it tomake special requests, and other functions;

a step displaying the event 8525 a for which the advance order of aselection is made, followed by selection of the event;

a step 8522 displaying the identity of a destination equipment on whichthe selection is to be played, followed by selection of this equipment;

a step 8523 displaying the date and time at which the selection is to bemade on the destination equipment;

a step 8529 for recording or downloading to a special requests file onlyafter payment has been confirmed.

According to another characteristic of the invention, it includes a step8526 for selecting or recording a special message.

According to another characteristic, the invention comprises a step 8526b for recording messages consisting of recording a personal message.

According to another characteristic, the invention comprises a step 8526a in which a message is selected consisting of choosing one amongseveral messages.

According to another characteristic, the invention comprises a step inwhich all jukeboxes make a connection to Internet and call the serversite 100.

According to another characteristic, the display steps are made bysending Internet messages to the terminal 600 in order to display theselection steps necessary for selection steps, these selection ordetermination steps being made by messages sent from the terminal 600 tothe server 100 as a function of actions performed by the user on histerminal to define his selection in advance.

The invention comprises a step in which the messages and requests arerecorded on a file 141 on the host server 100 with the address of thedestination equipment 10 and are then downloaded onto it at a givenmoment on the displays done.

The invention comprises a step to examine a special file 841 on eachequipment 10 containing the recorded requests, to determine if thecurrent date and time on the equipment 10 correspond to the requireddate and time for execution of the advance request.

Similarly, the jukebox 10 or server 100 comprise means of displayinginformation on a screen close to the user to guide him in the choice ofspecial requests;

means of recording these requests in a special file 841, 141;

means of periodically examining the file 841, 141 recorded on theequipment to trigger execution of the request at the given time anddate, or to trigger downloading of this request.

The invention comprises means of remotely transmitting these requests tothe destination equipment.

According to the invention, the display means are composed of objectmodules added in *.DJO files called according to needs by the jukeboxconfiguration file.

The files 840, 841 will be saved in the FILO. DJL module and programmodifications necessary for operation and embodiment of this processwill be downloaded in the different modules, in accordance with thedownloading process defined in patent application 98 09358.

The device also comprises a means of defining rules for execution of thesongs queue and thus modifying the behavior of the disc-jockey accordingto one of the following criteria; first in first out (FIFO) in thequeue, at random and selecting the most popular songs first, eliminatingthe second consecutive song by the same artist or based on a combinationof the previous rules or any other rule.

The remote distribution network comprises firstly a host serverconnected to the Internet network, and secondly through a secondnetwork, to a set of jukeboxes each identifiable by an identity numberor an address in order to load each special request on the destinationjukebox and means of scanning the file containing the special requestson each jukebox to have them executed when the local time and the daycorrespond to the selected time and day.

It will be obvious to persons familiar with the subject that manydifferent embodiments would be possible within the framework of thisinvention as claimed. Consequently, the embodiments described hereinmust be considered as illustrations and can be modified within the fielddefined by the attached claims, and the invention cannot be restrictedto the details described above.

1. A method for ordering, in advance, from a user's terminal connectedto a host server via a communication network, a selection to be playedon at least one destination equipment connectable via the communicationnetwork to the host server, wherein said destination equipment and saidserver each comprise a request processing module enabling theimplementation method steps, comprising: displaying a menu on the user'sterminal, said menu containing a plurality of items including aselection to be played and specific requests, said specific requestsincluding at least one selection to be played and the destinationequipment on which the selection is to be played, wherein when selectionis made in advance, the time and date at which the selection is to beplayed being chosen; displaying the identity of the destinationequipment on which the selection is to be played, and the selection;displaying a date and a time at which the selection is to be played onthe destination equipment; displaying an event for which the order of aselection is made in advance, and then displaying the selection of anevent; generating a dedicated file listing the specific requests and allinformation necessary to process said specific requests once a paymenthas been made and verified, the dedicated file being different from saidspecific requests and the at least one selection to be played; recordingsaid dedicated file on the server; transferring said dedicated file fromthe user's terminal to the server; and downloading from the server tothe destination equipment on which the selection is to be played, whenthe user's terminal is destination equipment connected to the server butdistinct from the destination equipment on which the selection is to beplayed.
 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising choosingor saving a message.
 3. The method according to claim 2, furthercomprising saving a personal message.
 4. The method according to claim2, further comprising selecting a message from a plurality of messages.5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the destination equipment iscapable of being connected to the server via the communication network.6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the steps of displaying aremade by sending messages via the communication network to the terminalin order to display selection steps necessary for making selections, theselection steps comprising messages sent from the terminal to the serveras a function of actions performed by the user on the user's terminal todefine the selection in advance.
 7. The method according to claim 2,further comprising recording the messages and requests on the hostserver together with an address of the destination equipment.
 8. Themethod according to claim 1, further comprising examining a dedicatedfile containing recorded specific requests to determine if a currentdate and time on the equipment correspond to the date and time forexecution of the advance request.
 9. The method according to claim 1,further comprising recording said dedicated file directly on thedestination equipment, when the user's terminal is the destinationequipment on which the selection is to be played.
 10. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising verifying receipt of thepayment to authorize the generation of the dedicated file listing thespecific requests.